Clayface facts for kids
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Clayface is the name used by several bad guys, called supervillains, in American comic books from DC Comics. Most of them have bodies made of clay and can change their shape, like a shape-shifter. All the Clayfaces have been enemies of Batman.
In 2009, Clayface was named the 73rd Greatest Comic Book Villain of All Time by IGN.
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Who is Clayface?
Clayface is not just one person! Several different characters have used this name over the years. Each one has a unique story about how they became the clay-like villain.
The First Clayface: Basil Karlo
The very first Clayface was Basil Karlo. He was created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane. Basil was an actor who starred in "B-movies," which are low-budget films. He started a life of crime using the name of a villain he played in a horror film. At first, he didn't have any special powers. He just wore a scary clay mask. Later, he gained real clay powers by taking DNA from other Clayfaces.
The Second Clayface: Matt Hagen
In the late 1950s, a new Clayface appeared. This was Matt Hagen, a treasure hunter. He got amazing shape-shifting powers and a super tough body from a special, glowing protoplasm. He had to go back to this glowing goo every 48 hours to recharge his powers. If he didn't, he would turn back into his normal human self.
The Third Clayface: Preston Payne
Preston Payne became the third Clayface in the late 1970s. He was a scientist who had a rare health problem. He tried to cure himself using blood from the second Clayface, Matt Hagen. Instead, he turned into a creature made of clay. Preston's touch could melt people. He had to wear a special suit to stop this from happening. He also gained super strength from his suit.
The Fourth Clayface: Sondra Fuller
Sondra Fuller was part of a group called Strike Force Kobra. She used their special technology to become the fourth Clayface, also known as Lady Clay. She could change her shape and even copy the powers of others. Sondra later teamed up with Basil Karlo and Preston Payne to form a group called the "Mud Pack."
A Family of Clayfaces
After the Mud Pack, Preston Payne and Sondra Fuller had a son named Cassius "Clay" Payne. He was born with clay powers, just like his parents. If a piece of him broke off, it could even become a small, living "Claything" and stick to a human.
Clayface in Cartoons
You might have heard Clayface's voice in Batman: The Animated Series. He was voiced by the actor Ron Perlman.
Clayface Powers
Each Clayface has different powers, but they all share one main ability: they can change their shape!
- Basil Karlo (the first Clayface) originally had no powers. He just wore a clay mask. But later, he gained real clay powers by mixing his body with the DNA of other Clayfaces. This made him super powerful. He could even copy the DNA of others to mimic their forms perfectly.
- Matt Hagen (the second Clayface) could change his shape and voice for a limited time. His body was made of living mud. He could split himself apart or change his body's texture. He needed to recharge his powers often by soaking in a special pool of goo.
- Preston Payne (the third Clayface) could melt people with his touch. He also had super strength because of his special suit. Later, he got his shape-shifting powers back.
- Sondra Fuller (the fourth Clayface, Lady Clay) had strong shape-shifting powers. She could also copy the powers of other people.
- Cassius "Clay" Payne (the son of Preston and Sondra) had all the powers of both his parents. This meant he could change shape, melt things with his touch, and even create smaller clay creatures from his own body.
Images for kids
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Matt Hagen as Clayface on the cover of Detective Comics #298 (December 1961)
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Cassius "Clay" Payne as Clayface
See also
In Spanish: Clayface para niños
